Cotton cleaner



A 9; 1940. E. s. MURRAY ETI'AL COTTON CLEANER Filed Sept. 27, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 fray W m (A vw IN V EN TORS.

A TTORNE Y Edward [far/ 7 Lifiall April 9, 1940.

COTTON CLEANER Filed Sept. 27, 1937 E. B. MURRAY ET AL 6 Sheets-Sheet '2 QYWWM I Zdwaniiiflzuvuy, Harry (Affallz'zz 6;:

April 9, 1940.

E. B. MURRAY El AL COTTON CLEANER Filed Sept. 27, 1937 6 Sheet s-Sheet 3 SPWWMS Sum;

April 1940. E. B. MURRAY ET AL 2,196,791

COTTON CLEANER 4 Filed Sept. 27, 1937' 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TORS EdZl/wi'dfi {fur/22 125477;; ifiailz'qyel; ab-W (M W A TTORN E Y April 9, 1940. E. B. MURRAY Er AL COTTON CLEANER Filed Sept. 27, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Edzyard-6lflurfa flarifyaffallz'fifei;

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55 and be cleaned thereby.

' Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES P TENT oFFicE I I COTTZL CLEAN ER 7 Edward B. Murray and Harry 0. Hollinger, York, Farquhar 00., Limited,

a limited partnership of Pennsyl- Application September 2'1, 1937, Serial No.166,002 22 Claims. (01. 19-9o) This invention relates to cotton cleaners and particularly to those cleaners wherein the cotton from the field is cleaned and immediately fed to the gin.

Cotton in the field, due to its fine, light andexposed fibers and to the present method of gathering, collects much dirt and dust and other extraneous matter, which must of course, be removed prior to the ginning operation to. leave a 10 clean white cotton lint to be baled.

In the cleaning operation the dirt and other foreign material must be removed with a minimum injury to the fiber: otherwise the quality of the cotton is lowered and the price received 15 will be adversely afiected.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved cotton cleaner and feeder.

Another object of the invention is the provision 20 of a cleaner and feeder which will thoroughly clean the cotton but which will not injure the fibers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cleaner and feeder which will roll the cotton over and over during the cleaning operation without inserting any sharp or other mechanical means into the fiber of the cotton and which will cause the cotton to contact with narrow slits through which the dirt and other extraneous matter passes, the cotton passing on to contact its other portions with other slits, until the cleaning operation is completed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cotton cleaner and feeder wherein the cotton is caused to follow a definite path, thereby insuring a uniform treatment of all of the cotton.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a cotton cleaner wherein the cleaning 40 cylinder is provided with means for preventing the slits from becoming filled up with extraneous matter, such as motes, sticks, etc., which, if permitted to collect would fill the ends of the slits and form fox-tails, between the screen and the 45 outer casing which would impair the proper operation of the cleaner as a whole.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a cotton cleaner wherein the cleaning cylinder is operative to clean the cotton through- 50 out its whole periphery.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a cleaner having a helical guiding means about a foraminated cylinder and means to cause the cotton to travel along the guiding means Another object of the invention the provisionof such a cleaner having a foraminous cylinder with guide means to conduct cotton longitudinally and circumferentially and at the same time cause a current of air to move out of the foraminations to conduct away the separated dust and dirt and other extraneous matter.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved cotton cleaner and feeder wherein the cotton after being cleaned, is or may be delivered in the open to the gin without exposing the operator to the dust in the air current which is used to conduct the cotton, yet making the delivery operation open for inspection.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic cross. section of the improved cleaner.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged detail view of the cleaning screen. p

Fig. 2 is a rear view.

Fig. 3 is a frontview.

Fig. 4 is a view of one end of the housing showing the operating gearing. v

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic vertical longitudinal cross section of the cleaning cylinder and the dirt removing screen.

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a view of the end opposite to that shown in Fig. 4 and showing the operating connections for rotating the feed rollers which receive the cotton to be cleaned.

Fig. 6 is a side detail view of the dogs which prevent backward movement of the feeding rollers.

Fig. 7 is a detail cross sectional view of the delivery roller of the cleaner.

In the drawings, similar reference charactersrefer to the same or similar parts throughout the specification and claims.

This invention essentially comprises means for the separation of dust, and other extraneous matter delivering the cotton to the periphery of a foraminated cylinder and the tumbling of the cotton over and over, while air is forced out of the openings in the cylinder during the time cotton is in contact with the edges of the openings. The air passes through the portiom of the cotton adjacent to the openings carrying with t the dust and dirt within the cotton lock. The ioramina- These relatively long pieces of foreign matter might not be ejected except for the slit-shaped openings.

After the dirt and dust and other extraneous matter are removed from the cotton they are collected and disposed of.

The cotton is pneumatically conducted away from the cleaning cylinder to a distributing device which permits the escape of the conducting air and permits the cotton Without the air to be delivered to the chute for delivery to the gin. As the air pressure is released prior to the release of the cotton, the latter may be uncovered if it is desired. In this way the cotton may be in spected as it is delivered to the gin. Y

A shaft 20 supports a cylinder comprising spider wheels 2|. On the peripheries of the spiders 2| are located blades 22 which extend the length of the cylinder. At the ends of the cylinder are secured end rings 22 of a slightly greater diameter than the cylinder of the blades.

Outward of the outer edges of the blades 22 is located a foraminous cylinder 23 having foraminations such as relatively narrow slit-openings 23 to permit the escape of the dirt, dust, and other extraneous matter when separated from the cotton. These slit-openings may be of any suitable dimensions and are preferably staggered with relation to slits in adjacent rows. It has been found that slits three-sixteenths of ,an inch wide and three inches long function very satisfactorily. These may be spaced apart one-quarter of an inch both axially and circumferentially.

The cylinder 23 is spaced from the outer edges of the blades 22, a sufficient distance to provide for the helical guides 24 and for normal clearance with the cotton. These guides are located adjacent the foraminous cylinder 23 and may be as shown, in contact therewith and attached thereto. In the present illustrated embodiment, there are two helical guides arranged, for example, six inches apart, thus making two paths, along either of which the cotton may travel.

Cotton, asit is unloaded from the truck which delivers the cotton direct to the gin house or as it is delivered from the cotton storage house, is taken up by a suction tube and delivered to the chute 25. A pair of rotating bladed drums 26 cooperate to deliver the cotton to the picker roll 21 which throws the cotton onto a screw conveyor 28. The picker roll 21 extends outwardly beyond the delivery end of the conveyor 28 and at this place delivers part of the cotton directly to the cleaning cylinder. The cotton falls through a throat 23 to pass to either passage formed by the helical guides 24.

If desired, a blower 30 which receives its air through a grating 3| forces air down the passage 32 forming a jet action at its throat 33, assisting the movement of the cotton into the cleaning cylinders.

Due to the open construction of the spider 2| air can pass freely from one end of the cylinders to the other. Air is admitted freely from both ends of the cylinder. It is here noted that this action is the cause of the removal of much of the dust-laden air from the gin house. The revolving of the inner drum causes a centrifugal action on the air by the blades 22. The radial depth of the helical fins or guides 24 and the space between their inner edges and the outer edgct of the blades 22, is such that the blades 22 do not normally touch the cotton as it moves over the foraminated cylinder 23. The centrifugal action of the blades 22 on the air entering from the ends of the cylinder, causes a flow outwardly from around and near the shaft 20 and through the slits of the cylinder 23. In passing through and around the cotton locks, the air contacts the dirt, dust, and other extraneous matter near the slits, the said foreign substances are separated from the cotton and forced through the slits into the chamber 34. The cotton rolls over and 'over and thus continues to present new surfaces to the slits as it follows its helical course until as it emegres at the opposite end of the cylinder, it is free of foreign substances.

Outside of the foraminous cylinder '23 is a chamber 34 which is connected to a conduit 35 leading to the outside open air. The larger particles of the extraneous matter which are not carried off by the air current through the outlet 35 will fall to the bottom of the chamber 34 and be carried 01! by a dirt conveyor 36. This conveyor is preferably of the screw type and extends the length of the chamber 34 to its discharge opening.

To give the fan blades 22 sufficient air to properly function, the ends of the cylinder are open to the room both at the intake end and at the delivery end through the fan housing 31.

The cotton, after reaching the end of its helical course through the cleaning cylinder guide paths, is discharged into the fan housing 31 where the fan 38 forces the cotton upwardly through a chute 39, around a turn as shown at 40.

The details of the fan 38 will now be described. This fan 38, preferably has two blades spaced apart, the blades being of a suitable shape to perform the special function of this particular fan in its particular relation to the other parts in the machine. The fan blades 38 are so shaped that there is a tendency for the fan to scoop the cotton looks into the fan housing. However at the point where the cotton enters the fan housing, the fan blade is cut away as at 38', to permit entrance of the cotton without injury. That portion 38 which is inward of the line 38 is bent so that it will move slightly forward of the main body of the fan 38 which is in a radial plane.

After making the turn as indicated at 40, the current of cotton-laden air meets a distributing device or mechanism, the function of which is to deliver the cotton throughout the length of the intake side of the delivery roller to be described.

The present embodiment of the distributing means comprises a moving baffle plate 4| which is mounted on a shaft 42 which shaft is moved pivotally by a lever arm.43. A link 44 connects the lever 43 with one arm of a bell crank lever 44. The other end of the bell-crank lever 44 is connected to the upper end of a pitman 44. The lower end of the pitman 44 is, in the embodiment illustrated, connected to a crank wheel I28 which is mounted on the end of a 6 shaft H9.

The rotation 01' this shaft H9 will cause the baffie plate to move from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. The shaft H9, which rotates when the machine is in operation. moves the pitman 44 up and down and by the bell crank 44 the link 44 and the lever arm 43 will move the shaft 42 to operate the deflector to move the same backward and forward. This backward and forward movement directs the current of cotton- 7 laden air to the diflerent parts of the length of the intake side of the delivery roller to be described. It'will be noted that the arms of the bell-crank 44'', the link 44' and the'lever arm 43 are provided with additional holes for adjustment of the connecting pins. By adjusting these pins, not only can the angle of throw be controlled, but the limits of movement as well.

- After being distributed in the delivery end of the chute 39, the cotton falls throughout the length of the delivery roller 44. This roller is provided throughout its length and in spaced of the chute adjacent the roller conform to the cylindrical shape of the roller 44. On the inner side of the chute adjacent the roller is a screen 40 so positioned with relation to the chute 3 9 that the flexible blades 44* will always close communication between the chute 39 and the delivery chute 45. The air'current'gives up its cotton at the screen 46 and escapes therethrough to the chamber 41. In the present embodiment there are five blades 44*- one of which shuts all communication on each side of the roller 44-to prevent the entry of the air current to the delivery chute 45. The purpose of this release chamber 41 is to permit the air conveying the cotton to escape after delivering. its load, thus mrmitting the following air to convey more cotton to the roller.

The purpose of the release of the pressure through the chamber 41 is to permit the cotton to be quietly delivered from the roller 44 without any air blast from the fan 38. As the cotton falls down the chute 45, it is caught by the pivoted stop member. 48 unless the same is put back to dotted position as shown at 48. When the stop member is in this upper position the cotton is delivered directly to the gin (not shown). With this construction, the cotton is delivered to the gin within plain sight of .the operator without having to look through a window which might, from dust, be. difficult 'to see through.

The outlet from the chamber 4! is through the air tube 49 at the rear of the casing adjacent the exhaust outlet 35 of the chamber 34.,

In order to prevent clogging of the slit openings 23 in the foraminated cylinder 23, thereis provided means for slowly wiping the collected extraneous matter out of the slit openings. This -is preferably, as illustrated, a mechanism for moving a flexible wiper over the cylinder surface to scrape the extraneous matter out of the ends of the slit openings, thus keeping the openings clear for the escape of the extraneous matter along with the air which carries them.

In the drawings, 60 represents a small angle iron track, of which there are shown two, one at each end of the screen portion at the cylinder, both of which are attached to-the outside ofthe foraminated cylinder 23.

Adjacent each of these tracks, is a ring-gear 6| which is supported on rollers 62 which have rolling contact with the aforementioned track 69.

These rollers in this embodiment are three in number for each ring-gear and are constructed 'of wood or any suitable material. The rings IiI have provided on their. peripheries at suitable intervals, the teeth GI with which the respective the severaloperating parts drive gears 03 engage. These drive gears are mounted on and are driven by'a shaft I I0.

Between the ring-gears and secured thereto are wiper arms 65 which carry suitable flexible wipers 00, which may be made of rubber strips.

These strips areso adjusted that they will wipe the outside wall of the foraminated cylinder 23 and wipe the slit openings 24 clear of any collected extraneous matter. The movement of the wipers 00 ispreferably in a direction opposite to the movement of the cotton within the cylinder. I V

We will now describe the connections by which are driven in the embodiment herein illustrated.

Power is derived from a power belt I00 which is driven from the gin, not shown. This power belt drives the pulley 20 on the shaft 20 and from this, drives the other parts of the mechanism as will be described.

I On the end of the shaft IOI which drives the screw conveyor 20, is a pulley IOI which is connected from the pulley 20 by a belt I02 which also drives a pulley I03 on a'shaft I03 on'which is mounted the picker roller 21.

To drive the fan 30 there is a v-pulley I04 mounted on the shaft I04. .This pulley I04" is connected to and is driven from the pulley 20 on the shaft 20, by the belt I05.

To drive the screw dirt conveyor 36, there is provided on its shaft I06, a v-pulley I06 which is connected by a belt I01 to a V-pulley I0I on the feeding conveyor shaft IOI already described.

On the shaft I03is mounted a small sprocket wheel I03". This small sprocket wheel I03 through the chain I08, drives a large sprocket wheel I 09* which forms a part of an idler connection for producing slow motions in certain parts of the mechanism. This wheel] i'iil revolves on a shaft I09. Revolving with the sprocket .wheel I09 is a smaller sprocket I09 which drives a chain H0, which in turn drives a sprocket wheel III similar in construction ,to the sprocket wheel i09 The sprocket wheel III is mounted on the end of the shaft II 2 which drives the delivery roller 44, already described.

Also revolving with the wheel I 09 on the shaft I09, is a small sprocket wheel I09 which drives a chain H3connected to a large sprocket wheel H5 mounted on the shaft H6. The shaft H6 drives the wipers 66 which keep the slit openings 23 clear of extraneous matter as already described.

Mounted also on the shaft I09 is a sprocket wheel I09 ,'similar to the sprocket wheel I09". This sprocket wheel I09 drives a chain H! which chain drives a sprocketwheel H8. The wheel H8 is mounted on the shaft H9, which extends to the opposite end of the cleaner and connects to mechanism which operates to drive the distributing mechanism and, through a slow intermittent motion device, the bladed feeder drums 26 as will be presently described.

At the opposite end of theshaft H9 is located a crank wheel I20 which has pivoted thereon, a connecting rod I2I which latter has connected at its opposite end the swinging arm I 22. The swinging arm I22 is pivoted about and is free to operate relative to the shaft I23.

A ratchet wheel I24 is mounted on and to rotate with the shaft I23. On the shaft I23 islocated one of the bladed drums 26 already described. These drums, it will be remembered, feed the cotton tothe picker roll 21 as already described. The other drum 26 is mounted on the shaft I25.

On the opposite ends of the shafts I23 and I25 from the ratchet wheel I24, are identical meshing gear wheels I26. These meshing gears I26 cause the shafts I23, I25 to move in unison to, in turn cause cooperation of the blades of the bladed rollers 26 in feeding the cotton from the chute 25 to the picker roller 21; It will thus be clear that when the movement of the swinging arm I22 causes movement of the shaft I23, the bladed rollers will operate together to feed the cotton.

Pivotally mounted on the swinging arm I22 is a dog I21 so placed as to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel I24, to move the latter, when the swinging arm I22 moves about its axis at the shaft I23. A spring I21 secured to the dog I21 and the arm I22 normally tends to keep the dog I21 in engagement with the teeth of the wheel I24.

Pivoted also on the shaft I23 to move freely thereabout, is an angle arm I28 having a cam face I28 which is in the path of the dog I21. The angle arm I28 hasa control rod I29 pivoted to its end at I28. When the swinging arm I22 moves with the dog I21 counter-clockwise as illustrated in Fig. 6, the dog I21 engages the cam face I28 which causes disengagement of the same from the ratchet wheel I24. By moving the angle arm I28 by the control rod I29, the dog I21 may be made to engage the ratchet wheel for a longer or shorter stroke depending upon the position of the cam face I28 as controlled bythe adjustment of the control rod I29.

The control rod I29 has a notch I29 so placed that when it engages a stop I30 secured to the cleaner housing, the dog I21 will have no contact with the ratchet wheel. Other notches I29 may be made to engage the stop I36 to vary the length of the working stroke of the dog I21.

It will thus be seen that as the shaft II9 revolves the crank wheel I26, the link I'2I will oscillate the swinging arm I22 to move the dog I21. This will rotate, by increments, the shaft I23. As already described this rotation is controlled by the setting of the control rod I29. As the shaft I23 revolves, the shaft I25 will move in unison and the rollers 26 mounted on the shafts I23, I25 will, by their blades, feed the cotton to the picker roller 21. A double-dog I25 is held against the ratchet wheel I24by the spring I25 to prevent the wheel from backward movement.-

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Cotton entering the chute 25 drops onto the bladed drums 26 which deliver the cotton to the picker roller 21. The picker roller 21 delivers the greater part of the cotton to the screw conveyor 28 which feeds it, at its end into the chute 29 and down into one of the paths determined by the helical guide members 24 within the foraminous cylinder 23. One end of the picker roll 21 extends beyond the delivery end of the conveyor 28 and delivers the cotton at this point directly to the chute 29.

The blades 22 on the spiders 23 operate as a.

fan of the rotating cylinder which rotates on the shaft 20 in suitable bearings. The shaft 20 is rotated by the power pulley 20. Air is drawn in from both open ends of the cylinder by the centrifugal action of the blades 22 and also, in the illustrated embodiment, a small amount of air is fed in by the nozzle 33 from the fan 36.

The air moving outwardly by the centrifugal action of the blades, is by the rotation of the blade cylinder, given a tangential component which drives the cotton around the foraminous 75 cylinder 23 and between the coils of the helical uides 24. As the cotton rolls over and over'as it progresses along its path, the dirt. dust and other extraneous matter on or near the outside of the cotton locks come near the slit openings :in the cylinder 23. Air is continually escaping through the slit openings 23 -both through the cotton and around it. This air catches the dirt, dust and other extraneous matter and expels them through theslit openings 23 and drops them to the screw conveyor 36 for removal. .The air and fine dust of the chamber 34 escapes through the outlet 35.

Upon reaching the end of its path, the cotton, thus cleaned is delivered within the influence of the fan 38. This fan 38 forces the cotton along the chute 39 to be distributed along the length of the delivery roller 44. The air from the fan escapes through the screen 46 and the cotton is delivered to the delivery chute 45 as already described. From thechute 45 the cotton passes to the gin, not shown.

The screen 46 may be of any suitable type such as the form illustrated in Fig. 1".

The cylinder 23 and the moveable cylinder comprising the blades 22 are illustrated though not necessarily so, as having constant cross section.

It is preferable that the speed of the baffle plate 41 bear a direct relation to the rotation of the delivery roller 44 and the passage of the blades 44. This is desirable for the reason that the best results can be obtained by uniformly distributing the cotton throughout the length of the space between each two of the blades 44.

As now operated, the blade 4I passes through about three cycles during each second. The movement of this blade is so fast that the effect on the eye is that there is a steady cloud of cotton locks being sent to the delivery roller.

Considering the process as a whole, this invention produces a means and process for always utilizing clean air from the outside of the machine, thus purifying and clearing the air in the room. The continuous utilization of the clean air outside of the machine without mechanically destroying the cotton lock, brings about what might be called an air-washing action to clean the cotton.

And, since the air is forced into the cotton locks and out, carrying the dirt and trash with it and at the same time forces the lock to turn over and over, without mechanical means entering the lock, there is produced an air washing action which assists greatly in producing a long fiber lint.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure, including the dimensions of certain parts, are merely illustrative and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A cotton cleaner comprising a rotating cylinder, a stationary cylinder concentric with the rotating cylinder having a foraminous portion and relatively stationary helical means extending around the cylinder to guide the cotton around and along the stationary cylinder and confine its movement to a definite path.

2. A cotton cleaner having an inlet, an outlet, a rotating cylinder, a stationary cylinder having a foraminous portion provided with relatively long circumferentially extending narrow slits and relatively stationary means to guide the cotton around and along the-stationary cylinder from the inlet to the outlet. g

3. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, means for causing the I cotton to move around the periphery of the cylinder and force air outwardly through the foraminations, means for causing the cotton to move along the cylinder as it moves around the periphery and cylinder-contacting means on the side of theforaminous portion of the cylinder opposite to the path of the cotton, to remove the lint from the openings of the foraminous portion, assisted by the outwardly moving air.

4. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder hav- 1; ing a foraminous portion, means for causing the cotton to move around the periphery of the cylinder and force the air outwardly through the foraminations means for causing the cotton to move along the cylinder as it movesv around the 0 periphery, ablade having a flexible contacting portion on the opposite side of the cylinder from the path of the cotton and means to move the blade and flexible contacting portion over the surface of the cylinder to remove the collected 88 lint from the openings in the foraminous portion assisted by the outwardly moving 5. A-cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, means for causing the cotton to move around the periphery of the cylinao der, means for causing the cotton to move along the cylinder as it moves around the periphery, a plurality of tracks on the cylinder, rotary means on the tracks, a blade carried by the rotary means and having a flexible member in contact 85 with the cylinder surface to remove lint fromthe openings of the foraminousportion. 6. 1 a cotton cleaner having a foraminous cylinder, means for forcing an air current through the openings, an opening-cleaning means for 0 moving over the openings and out of contact with the cotton locks to remove collected lint from the openings assisted by the air current.

7. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having foraminations throughout its periphery, guide a means for restricting movement of cotton to a helical path inside and along the length of the cylinder, rotating means within the cylinder to cause movement of the cotton locks along the helical path and of a distance from the cylinder to normally be out of contact with the cotton. 8. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having foraminationsv throughout its periphery, means for causing movement of the cotton around the inside of the cylinder, pneumatic means for" causing air to move outwardlythrough the foraminations, thereby holding the cotton adjacent to the surface of the foraminous portion and means for positively guiding the cotton in a predetermined path.

00 9. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having foraminations throughout its periphery, pneumatic means for causing movement of the cotton around the inside of the cylinder and'for causing air while holding the cotton adjacent to u the surface of the foraminous portion to move outwardly through the foraminations and means for positively guiding the cotton in a predetermined path from one end of the cylinder to the other.

70 10. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having foraminations throughout its periphery, means for causing movement of the cotton aroimd the inside of the cylinder and for causing air while holding-the cotton adjacent to the sur- Il face of the foraminous portion to move outwardly through the ioraminations and a plurality oi guide means for positively guiding the cotton in a plurality of predetermined pat 11. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, means for moving the I cotton in a deflnite guided helical path inside around and simultaneously along the length of the cylinder and adjacent to the foraminous portion and pneumatic means for causing air to pass through a portion of the cotton toward the open- 10 ings of the foraminous portion while the cotton moves in its path.

12. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, means for moving the cotton and to confine its movement to a definite id path around and simultaneously along the length of the cylinder and adjacent to the foraminous portion and pneumatic means for causing air to pass through a portion of the cotton toward the openings of the foraminous portion while the cotton moves in its path and'means for contacting the foraminous portion,.on the opposite side from the cotton, for removing the lint from the openings in the foraminous portion assisted by the air current. 85

13. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, helical cotton-lock guiding means extending around the cylinder'inside and adjacent the foraminations and pneumatic means for causing air to pass through a so portion of the cotton while the latter moves in its path and for holding the cotton adjacent to thesurface of the foraminous portion.

14. Acotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, a plurality of helical 86 cotton lock guiding means extending inside and around the cylinder and adjacent the foraminations and pneumatic means for causing air to pass through a portion of the cotton while the latter moves in its path and for holding the cotton 4 adjacent to the surface of the foraminous portion.

15. A cotton cleaner having a pair of cylinders and comprising pneumatic means for conducting cotton from thecylinders to the delivery means, the delivery means including a housing, a rotative cylindrical member, flexible blades on the cylindrical member, 'a perforated wall on one side of the cylindrical member, the perforated wall having a slight clearance from the blades to be cleared by the latter when the cylindrical member is rotated thereby permitting a continuous passage of air from the pneumatic means through the perforated walls.

16. A cotton cleaner having a cylinder and 5 comprising pneumatic means for conducting cotton from the cylinder to the delivery means, the delivery means including a housing, a rotating cylindrical member, flexible blades attached to and extending the length of the cylindrical mem- 50 her, a perforated wall on one side of the cylindrical member, the perforated wall having a slight clearance from the blades, to be cleared by the latter when the cylindrical member is rotated, thereby permitting a; continuous passage of air 05 from the pneumatic means through the perforated wall, a delivery chute adjacent the delivery means, the blades of the cylindrical member being always in contact with thesides of the delivery means to effect an air seal for preventing air from entering the chute.

17. A cotton cleaner comprising a cylinder having a foraminous portion, a non-foraminous portion adjacent to the foraminous portion, guides of ahelical form extending around the volving cylinder within the first mentioned cylinder and comprising blades spacedapart and parallel to its axis, means including feeding drums and a picker cylinder for feeding cotton to the cylinders, a conduit leading from the cylinders, air propelling means in the conduit and a cotton delivery means for separating the cotton from the air current including a rotatable member, a perforated wall, the rotatable member having flexible blades extending to a line adjacent to the perforated wall.

18. A cotton cleaner comprising an inlet chute, a pair of feeding rollers, a picker roll for receiving cotton from the feeding rollers, a conveyor for receiving the cotton from the picker roll, a hopper having a throat adjacent its bottom, the hopper being in a position to receive cotton from the conveyor, a rotating cylinder and a nonrotating foraminous cylinder, the former being within and concentric to the latter, one end of the cylinders being adjacent the hopper, guide means between the outer portion of the rotating cylinder and the wall of the foraminous cylinder to guide cotton in a helical path, a pneumatic chute to receive cotton at the end of the cylinder, pneumatic power means in the: chute, a delivery rotating member having flexible blades and located in a chamber at the delivery end of the chute, the chamber having a foraminous wall for the escape of the air, the adjacent walls of the chute discharge being sufficiently close to be rubbed by the flexible blades when the rotating member is rotated, thus sealing the delivery chute against the air of the chute.

19. A process for cleaning cotton which c'omprises the passing of cotton over a screen through a definite predetermined helical path, the passing of a current of air through the cotton and screen, the current of air forcing the dirt from the cotton and at the same time being the sole moving agency to cause the cotton to pass along the predetermined path. 20. The process of passing cotton through a guided predetermined helical path over a screen solely by air current, forcing air through the cotton to remove the dirt and extraneous matter through the screen and at the same time turning the cotton over and over, pneumatically, thus washing the cotton by air without the entering of the cotton locks by mechanical means.

21. A process for cleaning cotton which comprises the movement of cotton solely by the forcing of a current of air toward a screen at an angle to the normal to the screen, the confining of the movement of cotton along the screen in a definite predetermined helical path and in the current of air, the air removing the dirt from the cotton and conducting the same through the screen and at the-same time moving the cotton in its path. 22. The process of passing cotton through a guided predetermined path over a screen, solely by air current supplied on the cotton side of the screen, the forcing of air from the cotton side of the screen through the cotton when adjacent the screen to remove the dirt and other extraneous matter through the screen and at the same time turn the cotton over and over, pneumatically, thus washing the cotton by air without the entering or beating of the cotton locks by mechanical means.

EDWARD B. MURRAY. HARRY C. HOLLINGER. 

